BILLERICA, Mass., May 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- EMD Serono, the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, in North America, today announced a $12 million investment for the expansion of its R&D facility in Billerica, Massachusetts. The new building will span more than 30,000 square feet and accommodate approximately 120 new and current employees whose focus will be on accelerating innovation in R&D, with a focus on oncology, immuno-oncology and immunology.

Rendering of the $12M expansion of EMD Serono's R&D facility in Billerica, Massachusetts.

"The purpose of this expansion is to advance innovation and knowledge-sharing across our R&D teams, with the goal of accelerating the discovery and development of new therapies for patients in need," said Luciano Rossetti, MD, Head of Global R&D for Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, at a groundbreaking ceremony today in Billerica. "This investment is a reflection of our strengthening footprint in the Boston area and in the US as a leader in biopharma."

With approximately 2,000 R&D professionals working across four global R&D hubs—Darmstadt, Germany; Boston, US; Tokyo, Japan; and Beijing, China—Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany endeavours to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people with serious medical needs.

"The growth of EMD Serono's Billerica campus over the past several years and its decision to continue to grow in Massachusetts is a testament to our state's leadership in biopharmaceutical innovation," said Robert K. Coughlin, President & CEO of MassBio, the life sciences trade association. "The company's long-standing investment here ensures that we continue to retain and attract the top scientific minds and that the medical advances that make a real difference in people's lives occur here in Massachusetts."

The new two-story, 30,000 square foot building will be an extension of the existing Sagamore Building and will feature amenities including open plan work areas, a central auditorium, and numerous meeting spaces including bleacher seating for spontaneous collaboration and interaction. In addition to seeking LEED certification to complement the Sagamore Building's Platinum LEED status, EMD Serono will also apply for the WELL Institute certification. The WELL Institute standards measures the human health and wellness of occupants in the building environment. If achieved, EMD Serono would have one of the first projects in the United States with that certification distinction.

Construction on the expansion is scheduled to begin in May 2016 with a planned completion date of June 2017. In addition to its R&D facility in Billerica, EMD Serono's corporate headquarters are located in Rockland, Massachusetts and in total the company has approximately 800 employees across the state.

About EMD Serono, Inc. EMD Serono is the North America biopharma business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany - a leading science and technology company - focused exclusively on specialty care. For more than 40 years, the business has integrated cutting-edge science, innovative products and industry-leading patient support and access programs. EMD Serono has deep expertise in neurology, fertility and endocrinology, as well as a robust pipeline of potential therapies in oncology, immuno-oncology and immunology as R&D focus areas. Today, the business has more than 1,100 employees around the country with commercial, clinical and research operations based in the company's home state of Massachusetts.

About Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, GermanyMerck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2015, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of € 12.8 billion in 66 countries.

Founded in 1668, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, holds the global rights to the Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.

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